Work samples
My tools
Virtual learning network
Philosophy of education
Bio
Web-based and Social Media in the Language Arts Classroom
A review of the literature
Introduction
Without a practical classroom context in which to engage with students in social networking and content creation, I have much to learn about the impact these practices may have on literacy and language arts instruction. I know even less about how to prevent students from misappropriating social and web-based media and subverting their educationally valid uses. The purpose of this review of the literature is to shine some light on these questions.
When I surveyed the prior research reports, theoretical articles, case studies, and other literature reviews on the subject of social and web-based media in the classroom, I saw a number of promising pathways emerging that form a road map for teachers who are ready to embrace web-based ICTs now, rather than wait for the system to catch up later. Trailblazing teacher-researchers have also documented a pattern of caveats and cautions that echo across the literature and serve as guideposts for the novice teacher who is just beginning to chart her course.
To read the rest of this reflection, download and print the PDF version.